Reborn and Ruthless: I Won't Save the Don

I saved the life of Don Stefano Marino of the Marino family.

The moment a bullet was about to strike him, I was the one who shielded him from it.

Because of the life debt he owed me, Stefano decided that I would be the one marrying him instead of my older sister, Anna Costa, in the marriage alliance.

But on our wedding night, Stefano would rather drink himself into a stupor somewhere in the city than consummate our marriage with me.

Like a naive fool, I thought that I'd be able to melt his heart of ice someday with my love. But it had been less than five years when Stefano brought a kid, who resembled him, and Anna back.

"Anna has suffered tremendously during her time overseas while trying to raise her child on her own. I need to make it up to her."

Then, Stefano passed the divorce agreement to me. "You've hogged the position as the Donna for so many years. It's time for you to give it back to her."

Only then did I find out that Stefano had actually spent the night with Anna on the night of our wedding.

I pulled out the pregnancy report that I had meant to surprise Stefano with, only for him to rip it into shreds.

"I don't need another child."

Once those icy words fell, I was sent into the operating theater by force, where I suffered from heavy bleeding afterward, resulting in the deaths of me and my unborn baby.

When I woke up again, I saw Stefano, who was about to get shot. This time, I shoved Anna in his direction.

Chapter 1

Stefano Marino struggled to stand up, and upon hearing footsteps, he coldly snapped, "Get lost!"

The next second, he heard the muffled sobs of a woman before him and froze.

"Anna?"

He looked into the distance and saw me standing at the entrance of the alley, watching coldly.

In my previous life, I had recklessly taken a bullet for him. But the moment he realized he was unharmed, he immediately pushed me away. When he looked at me, his gaze was filled with nothing but indifference.

Once his and my family's soldati arrived on the scene, he handed my severely injured self to my family's soldati without a second thought. Then, he took Anna Costa's hand and left the place with her.

"Stefano, I'm just glad you're okay," Anna said before passing out in Stefano's arms.

Seeing her wound, Stefano instantly understood what had happened.

When his soldati arrived, he shielded Anna in his arms and swiftly rushed toward the black sedan. As he passed by me, he didn't even spare me a glance.

I knew that the assassination Stefano encountered today was due to someone within the family leaking his whereabouts.

In my previous life, Stefano uncovered the truth that very night. Having lived through this once before, I saw no need to intervene this time.

During the pursuit earlier in the morning, I was also injured. But with my family's declining influence and to maintain my own standing, I chose not to seek professional medical help.

While bandaging my wounds late at night, I suddenly heard a knock on the window.

Staggering over to open it, I was stunned to see Stefano standing outside.

"What are you doing here?"

He had somehow bypassed all the guards and come to me alone.

Stefano stood at the door, his expression icy. "You did that on purpose today, didn't you?"

I averted my gaze. "You're overthinking it."

Stefano grabbed my wrist. "You were the closest to me, yet you suddenly stepped back and pushed Anna in front of me. If anything happens to her, will you finally be satisfied?"

I couldn't help but think Stefano had lost his mind. "Believe whatever you want."

When I saved him, he acted as if I were a nuisance. Yet, when the woman he loved stepped in to rescue him, he turned around and accused me of orchestrating it all.

If I had known this was going to happen, I would have just let the bullet pierce his heart and be done with it.

A cold breeze swept in, sharpening the sting of my wounds. Thus, I had no choice but to say to him, "I was injured too today. If there's nothing else, you should leave."

Stefano was likely taken aback by my attitude, as he had never seen me like this before. After a momentary pause, he let out a scornful laugh.

"Anita, are you trying to play the victim with me now? Do you think I'd pity you?"

I stared at him, speechless.

So, this was how he saw me.

For years, my feelings for Stefano had been an open secret. And because of my love for him, I had all but erased myself in his presence.

He once said he liked women in long skirts, so every day, I showed up before him wearing a different one.

When he mentioned he admired women who could cook, I devoted myself to the kitchen, experimenting with dishes day after day.

I thought that at the very least, my efforts would earn me a sliver of his affection.

It wasn't until I lay on the operating table, lifeless and carrying a child that would never be born, that I realizedas long as I wasn't Anna, nothing I did would ever matter.

The lesson learned from dying once was too painful. Thus, in this second chance at life, I chose to set Stefano free and spare myself from all the heartache.

The next day, Stefano ordered an investigation into the assassination attempt. And to my shock, the primary person of interest was me.

"Principessa Anita, apart from the injured Miss Anna, you were the only other person present that day. Thus, you are currently the prime suspect. Please cooperate with our investigation."

I found it utterly absurd. "I was injured that day, too."

Stefano's soldato remained stern. "Don Marino said you are cunning and may have orchestrated it yourself."

To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

Cunning? Was that really how Stefano saw me?

Disregarding my explanations, Stefano's soldati dragged me straight into a basement.

I fought desperately, shouting, "My father is also a Don! If he finds out about this, he'll definitely make you pay!"

The soldati remained calm. "These are Don Marino's orders, so I'm sure your father will understand."

Just like that, I was locked up for three days.

With my wounds still unhealed and the place damp and dark, I soon developed a fever and passed out.

In my dazed state, I heard the sound of a door opening. Then, the scent of a fir tree filled the air as someone lifted me and carried me away.

Chapter 2

When I woke up, I found myself in a warm room, my wounds freshly bandaged.

I asked my soldati, but they only said that my father, Roberto Costa, had already reached a decision on the matter.

When Anna recovered and was discharged from the hospital, Stefano personally went to pick her up and escorted her home.

Outside the study, I overheard Stefano speaking to Dad.

"Anna was gravely injured while saving my life, and I can never repay such a debt of gratitude. I hope you'll allow me to marry her so that I can spend the rest of my life loving and protecting her."

I thought I had come to terms with all of this, but hearing Stefano speak those words himself still made my heart ache bitterly.

He would feel heartbroken over Anna's severe injuries from saving him. Yet in my previous life, when I saved him just the same, he saw me as nothing more than a burden he felt he had to be responsible for.

In my previous life, Stefano never wanted to marry me in the first place. It was only because the rumors at the time began to tarnish his image in the Marino family that he felt compelled to take me as his wife.

Seeing me standing by the door, Anna walked in and said to Dad with tears in her eyes, "Dad, I think it's best to call off this engagement. After all, how could I ever take Stefano from Anita when he's the one she loves?"

Dad glanced in my direction.

Stefano immediately stepped in front of me, blocking Dad's gaze. "Principessa Anita, I apologize, but do allow me to say this one final time. I do not love you. No matter what you do, I will never love you. In my heart, there is only Anna."

I nodded. "I understand. Rest assured, I will not intrude upon your wedding with Anna. My early congratulations to you both."

Perhaps because I sounded too calm, Stefano started sizing me up.

Dad walked over and patted my shoulder with a smile. "My dear daughter has finally come to her senses. Don't worry. I'll introduce you to other men who are better and more outstanding."

I deliberately avoided looking at Stefano and nodded with a smile. "Alright."

Once Anna and Stefano's wedding was decided, Stefano began visiting the estate daily.

In the past, I had to go to great lengths just to catch a glimpse of him. Not only did I have to bribe his soldati, but I also had to pry information from Anna's attendants.

And because of this, I was often mocked by her attendants for being shameless.

Ironically, now that I had lost all interest, Stefano seemed to linger around me constantly. And it was starting to get annoying.

Anna probably assumed I still liked Stefano, because she would always put on this gentle older sister act and come over just to talk to me about him.

"Anita, you love sunflowers, right? Stefano had these picked fresh this morning. Would you like me to share some with you?"

"Anita, Stefano brought back so many jewelry pieces from Verduron this time. I can't possibly wear them all, so let me give you a few."

I lowered my gaze to one of thema pink diamond ring.

I remembered just before the wedding in my previous life, I told Stefano I wanted a pink diamond ring. I told him I didn't care about anything else for the wedding, as long as I could have a pink diamond ring.

I spoke with such humility, yet Stefano didn't listen at all.

But on the day of the wedding, the ring was just a plain, ordinary style. Moreover, it was even a size too big for my finger, and that size could only fit Anna.

I was staring at the pink diamond ring, completely lost in thought and unaware of the footsteps approaching outside the door.

By the time I noticed, Anna had suddenly fallen in front of me, and the ruby necklace in her hand scattered across the floor.

I crouched down to pick it up, only to be blocked by a pair of black leather shoes.

"Stefano, please don't blame Anita."

Before I could even say a word, Anna began to cry first. Tears rolled down her face one by one, making her look utterly pitiful.

"It's all my fault for not holding it properly. It's not because Anita pushed me on purpose," Anna said.

Stefano's expression grew darker as he stared at me. "Anita, as soon as your parents are gone, you start bullying Anna! It's a shame she goes out of her way to think of you in every little thing. You truly have a heart of stone."

My heart ached unbearably.

"I didn't push her," I said through gritted teeth, fighting back tears.

Anna quickly grabbed my hand and pretended to comfort me, "Anita, it's alright. It's all my fault. Please don't be angry."

Before she could finish, Stefano pulled her behind him protectively.

Steano looked at me with nothing but hostility in his eyes. "I didn't mind how casual you used to be with Anna before, but now that she's going to marry me and become the Donna of my family, I can't just stand by and do nothing while you bully her."

He turned to Anna, his voice softening noticeably. "Anna, don't worry. I'll stay at your house these next few days until your parents return."

Then, he shot me a sharp, warning glance.

In the past, whenever I knew Stefano was coming to our house, I would happily dress up, let alone if he were staying here. But now, there wasn't a trace of joy on my face.

Not seeing the reaction he expected, Stefano seemed slightly taken aback.

Nevertheless, he still warned me, "During this time, you'd better keep a certain distance from me so as not to give outsiders reason to gossip."

The next morning, Stefano went to the kitchen to specifically make breakfast for Anna.

To make sure I knew about it, Anna intentionally spoke loudly as I passed by.

Unfortunately, as I walked past the kitchen, I didn't pause at all. Instead, I went straight to the garage and drove myself out to have breakfast elsewhere.

On my way back, I stopped by a salon and dyed my hair.

When Stefano saw me, he let out a scoff. "Anita, isn't this a rather low tactic to use just to get my attention?"

Chapter 3

"Don't flatter yourself. I didn't dye my hair for you," I replied flatly.

I had wanted to dye my hair red for a long time, so it wasn't exactly a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Stefano's eyes then fell on my short skirt. "Is this also part of your new strategy?"

I ignored him and turned to leave.

My legs were naturally long and slender, and I had been praised for them since I was young. Short skirts suited me the best, but I never wore them before simply because Stefano preferred understated elegance.

Behind me, Stefano watched me leave, his gaze still indifferent. But the hand clutching his phone tightened again and again.

Anna approached and gently took his arm.

"Stefano, Anita has become so rebellious lately that she doesn't even listen to me anymore. Do you think she's still upset about our marriage?"

Stefano lowered his eyes. "Let her be. No matter what tactics she uses to seek attention, she can't do anything to us as long as we ignore her."

I neither knew about their conversation nor cared to find out.

I went out in the afternoon because Dad had arranged a blind date for me.

It was my first time meeting him, and just as Dad had said, he was someone whose qualities were in no way inferior to Stefano's.

We shared many common interests and topics of conversation. For a first meeting, we got along surprisingly well.

When I returned that evening, I saw Stefano sitting in the living room with his head bowed.

Having loved him for years in my previous life and spent several more in marriage, no one understood him better than I did.

Just one glance at his posture told me that his migraine had flared up again.

Stefano had always been one to care deeply about his pride. He had to be sitting here now because he didn't want Anna or anyone else to notice his condition.

Originally, I had no intention of getting involved. But after taking a few steps, I remembered how when I once had a fever in my previous life, it was Stefano who got the medicine for me and called a doctor.

Fine. I would just treat him as a guest in this house and offer the hospitality expected of a host.

Turning around, I took out a box of medicine and handed it to him.

When he looked up, our eyes met.

He probably never expected that I would know about his migraines, let alone bring him medicine. But after a moment, he took the medicine and said mockingly, "Are you trying to make me owe you?"

I ignored his sarcasm and went straight back to my room.

And so, I didn't notice the growing intensity in Stefano's gaze as he watched me leave.

Two days later, Stefano suddenly stormed in angrily and threw a pair of lacy underwear at my face.

"Anita! You really are a shameless woman!"

I was utterly confused, but the underwear was indeed mine. Yet, how on earth did it end up in Stefano's hands?

Baffled and burning with shame, I asked, "How did you get this?"

Stefano sneered coldly. "Is this another one of your tricks? Playing hard to get, are we? Pretending you don't love me anymore, yet scheming behind my back to sleep with me? Anita, you're truly despicable."

I instinctively tried to explain, "There must be some misunderstanding. I didn't put this in your room. If I"

Stefano cut me off before I could finish, his voice dripping with mockery.

"Anita, did you really think these petty tricks of yours would make me see you differently? My heart belongs to Anna alone."

His gaze grew colder with each word, as if I were some kind of criminal.

As he turned to leave, he added, "The next time you see Anna, I expect you to address her as Donna Marino."

The next day, Stefano and Anna officially set their wedding date.

After informing me, Anna even came to me in tears. She said she didn't have many friends and asked me to be her bridesmaid, appealing to our blood ties.

I wanted to refuse, but Dad called me into his study and insisted I accept. In the end, I had no choice but to agree.

Once I had accepted, he immediately followed up by asking when I planned to start considering my own marriage.

Remembering my last encounter with the man from the blind date, I instinctively touched the necklace he had given me and replied shyly, "I've already met someone I like."

Dad glanced at the necklace around my neck and then asked in a puzzled tone, "Who is it?"

My cheeks flushed slightly as I answered, "The one you introduced me to last time."

Dad looked taken aback. "But didn't you end up not going to see him?"

I froze. "What?"

Chapter 4

No, that couldn't be right. I definitely went, and we had a pleasant conversation. We even exchanged contact information and agreed to meet again.

Hearing me say this, Stefano sneered coldly from the side. "Principessa Anita must've met him in her dreams."

He didn't believe me, let alone believe that I went to meet another man.

"Dad, I really did go. In fact, this necklace was a gift from him," I insisted firmly.

I placed the necklace in front of Dad, and Stefano's expression stiffened slightly.

After leaving the study, Stefano suddenly pulled me into a corner and said, "If you behave and stop scheming, I can treat you like a sister. I'll even have meals with you and spend time with you."

I let out a light laugh and replied seriously, "Stefano, I don't love you anymore. In fact, I'm interested in someone else now."

After hearing this, Stefano pressed closer step by step. "Then, tell me. If you don't love me anymore, why are you still wearing a necklace with elements of my family?"

I took a step back and snapped loudly, "This necklace has nothing to do with you! It's lateyou should get some rest."

In the shadows, Anna was staring intently at my back, her face cold and grim.

The wedding ceremony was set to take place in seven days. Just when everything seemed perfectly prepared, chaos erupted right before it began.

Anna's wedding gown had been sabotaged. When she opened her wardrobe, she found it replaced with a nun's habit, with a crude skull drawn on the inside.

She wept pitifully, and everyone crowded around to comfort her.

I walked over to take a closer look at the details of the wardrobe, but Anna suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Anita, I know you've liked Stefano since we were young, but he's your future brother-in-law. We're family, so how could you let your obsession drive you to curse me?

"That day in Dad's study, you even said yourself that you no longer had feelings for Stefano. Why go back on your word on the day of our wedding?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room fell silent and fixed their eyes on me.

My feelings for Stefano were once so openly and unabashedly worn that they were practically a public secret.

And now, with Anna's wedding dress sabotaged like this, it was only natural that I, as the bridesmaid, would be the prime suspect.

I was left speechless for a moment, unsure where to even begin explaining.

But just as I was about to speak, I saw Stefanodressed in a tailored suitwalk in and immediately pull Anna into his arms.

Taking the cue, Anna tearfully pleaded, "Stefano, maybe you should just marry Anita instead. I'm so frightened that I'll be jinxed."

As soon as she finished speaking, Stefano kicked me hard, sending me crashing into the closet.

My body slammed against the solid wood, and for a moment, the pain was so intense I could hardly breathe.

This wasn't the first time Stefano had rejected me. But it was the first time he had laid hands on me in front of everyone.

Shame and pain washed over me, deepening my disappointment in him once again.

Lowering my head, I mustered what little strength I had left and asked hoarsely, "Stefano, have you ever truly believed me?"

Stefano stood still, his gaze utterly indifferent as he looked at me. "Never. Anita, since you've repeatedly hurt Anna without regard, don't blame me for being merciless."

With that, he gave a cold wave of his hand.

Several bodyguards stepped forward and restrained me firmly. As I lay there unable to move, they stripped my clothes and used a knife to carve a skull on my arm.

Stefano said this was only a fraction of the pain Anna had suffered.

When the blade cut through my skin, the sharp pain brought tears streaming down my face. I wanted to beg for mercy, but my mouth was covered, leaving me unable to utter a word through the agony.

Just as I was on the verge of passing out, a figure dressed in black suddenly appeared.

"Stop!"

The newcomer swiftly kicked away the bodyguard restraining me and pulled me into his protective embrace.

I heard Stefano furiously shouting, "Who are you? How dare you interfere with the affairs of the Marino family? Do you have a death wish or something?"